AdrenoBalance is a Ready To Use (RTU) product – which is already diluted to a rate that most animals can tolerate easily. AdrenoBalance builds upon our KittyBoost formula – adding a myriad of adrenal supporting essential oils to the already amazing and supportive blend.
Who is AdrenoBalance for?
AdrenoBalance was created specifically with animals who need a bit more support in the “adrenal department.” Whether a horse with Metabolic Syndrome or a dog with Cushing’s or Addison’s – these animals can benefit from many of the essential oils that are traditionally known for their support of the adrenal system. The adrenal glands additionally do not act on their own. They are intimately tied in with the entire body and endocrine system – so often times support of the Pituitary, Hypothalamus, Kidneys, and Liver will also benefit adrenal health.
What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue and disease can happen in all species of animals. Whether a primary concern such as Cushing’s Disease or Addison’s – or simply just adrenal stress due to chronic health concerns or even emotional distress – supporting adrenal health and function is an important part of holistic health. There is often a concern when supporting adrenals holistically; how can hyper-adrenal (too much) AND hypo-adrenal (too little) functions both be supported by the same thing? This is simple when you understand the concept of true holistic and integrative medicine and treatments. Natural and healthy items, actual bring the body into balance. Instead of drugs that can force the body to move towards over-activity or towards suppression. Essential oils, similarly to proper nutrition, support the adrenals to achieve a normal function. Not too much, not too little.
Why do Adrenals Matter?
Adrenal glands are mysterious little creatures. Even veterinarians rarely understand them fully. It is important to understand a few key points. Adrenal glands are responsible for secreting our body’s natural “stress hormones” – cortisol – and also function greatly in balancing very important electrolytes – potassium and sodium.
What are Adrenal Issues?
Beyond the “common” adrenal diseases – such as Cushing’s and Addison’s – there is just basic adrenal fatigue. This is like expecting to do a huge weight lifting routine every day without any rest. Although this might be a normal and healthy activity – to build muscles – eventually without a rest cycle, the body may fatigue and just fail. This is what can commonly happen with animals. Stress is the hidden exercise that the adrenal glands must “do”.
What does a Veterinarian do to Support the Adrenal Glands?
If your adrenal glands are functioning “too much” – we’ll suppress them. And if your adrenals are not functioning enough – we’ll just give you some of the chemicals they were supposed to be secreting. Holistically – we try to give the body the tools it needs to function NORMALLY. Not too high, and not too low. Like the “Goldie Locks Zone” – just right! Most of the natural tools and support items we supply to a body – will help to balance and normalize the body’s own natural functions and recognition of what is normal. These types of modalities may include herbs, homeopathy, glandular therapies, and/or essential oils – and we often refer to these as adaptogens. Truly, a body will always know what is wrong, and what is best for it. It is up to “us” – as animal caregivers – to make sure that we provide the animal with the proper nutrition (unfortunately lacking for generations), water, supplements, exercise, lifestyle, etc. that is healthy for it to function. And, when things are not right, we often have to figure out why. But they are small, hidden, and you would never know that they are really very, very tired…until it is too late. But what qualifies as stress? The bad part is – ALMOST ANYTHING!
What causes Adrenal Stress?
Is your dog an anxiety dog? Does your cat have allergies? Is your bird a feather picker? Does your horse have a lameness? Did you introduce a new animal to your home? Did you go to an obedience class? Board your dog? Did you vaccinate recently? Go on a vet visit? Spay or neuter? All of these things cause stress – whether we recognize it or not. Normally, we go to bed, get through a REM cycle, and regenerate from the day’s stress. Unfortunately, many animals never get the rest that was required to “re-set” their adrenal glands and make them “happy” again. They may be continuing on their “stress cycle” because they are not used to being in a crate yet (new puppy), or we leave a TV or light on in the home which disturbs true sleep. You’d be amazed at the things that continue a stress cycle to flourish. Even a vaccination can cause hidden physical stress, and over time create issues for the “never-rested” adrenal gland. Often times, we forget to recognize how important adrenal support is. With almost every single situation, adrenal support is the right thing to do. Chronic issues that are not resolving as quickly as we would like – seem to have a great amount of turn around once the adrenals are remembered. They are small, hidden, and often overlooked.
Enter Essential Oils
The cool part of essential oil use is that we are often supporting adrenal replenishment without even knowing it. Are you Diffusing in your home? If not, you should be! There is a ton of scientific research on the stress-reducing and sleep-promoting properties of essential oils. Diffusing anything at all is likely to contribute to adrenal support. In general, including essential oils to support the adrenal system is a great decision!
Cats: Cats can use AdrenoBalance in place of KittyBoost or KittyBoost LITE when extra support of their adrenal glands is necessary. Cats rarely get the “classic” adrenal diseases that dogs get, however are susceptible to drug induced adrenal issues. Chronic use of steroids can create a variety of endocrine problems for cats – however, are still relied upon commonly by most practitioners for frustrating cases. For most cats – I would still suggest use of the KittyBoost or KittyBoost LITE first and foremost. But, for cats with chronic and unresponsive conditions, undue stress, known adrenal issues, or for those who have not adequately responded to KittyBoost – AdrenoBalance is an excellent option. Just as described for ferrets above, cats can usually use the AdrenoBalance right out of the bottle, in the same methods as described for KittyBoost. However, for those of a more delicate nature – further dilution initially as described is a wise start.
Dogs: A dog’s life can be stressful. Although we often say we’d love to live a “dog’s life” – in this day and age, our society has created quite the change in quality of life. Dogs can experience undue stress as they leave their litter, are adopted, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, or just live in every day “human life.” We sadly have turned our own world into bright artificial lights in un-natural time cycles, long work hours, lots of indoor time, lack of full spectrum natural sunlight, processed foods, poor water quality, and exposures to toxic chemicals (just to name a few). All of these things can add to poor adrenal recovery and function for our pooches.
For general maintenance, healthy “normal” dogs can have an occasional application of AdrenoBalance for added support of their adrenals. This application can be inserted into an AromaBoost application – generally between the #3 and #4 application – although any spot is technically okay. Use whichever schedule you are using for your AromaBoost applications – and apply the same amount of drops as you would with formulas 1-5.
You can also apply AdrenoBalance as a separate application. In general, 3-5 drops are applied to small dogs, around 10 pounds (4.5 kgs) and under. However, for dogs who are new to oils, or may be more sensitive – diluting your first few applications can make applications easier on your dog.
Basically, you can just drip the oils up the back and massage in, or you may apply the drops to your hands and then apply them to your dog in a Petting manner. For larger dogs – you can usually apply more drops. For dogs between 25-50 pounds applying 5-8 drops is average. And for dogs over 50 pounds – a range of 6-12 drops can be used. For dogs new to essential oils – starting with even less than the recommended amounts, or with further diluted oils can be a good way to ensure you do not create an oil aversion. You may not see results with lesser amounts, or with further diluted oils sometimes, but since we are also wanting to create a “happy” situation with oil use for your dog, and not overwhelm them – the added time to slowly build up concentrations of essential oil use can be worth it.
For dogs who have been diagnosed with Addison’s Disease or Cushing’s Disease – the situations can be a bit more critical – especially with Addison’s. It is very important that you work with your veterinarian, and monitor your dog closely with their aid. Never neglect the use of veterinary diagnostics and traditional treatments when they are indicated, and make sure to tell your vet that you are using natural substances that help support adrenal health and function. Occasionally, a patient has required less of a traditional drug, when a holistic approach to health has been implemented. This is a good thing! However, we must be aware that if a body requires less in terms of dosages, we need to be well aware of it!
For my own dogs – I will rotate through several of the body specific support blends (aka Body Boosts), each time I perform their “routine maintenance”. So, if my dogs get a monthly AromaBoost RTU applied – I will insert AdrenoBalance one month, then CardioBoost another month, and so on. However, for my patients who do have existing adrenal disease, I will strive to support their adrenal function much more often, and regularly. In some cases, daily applications can be considered – but I find that every 3-7 days is average for most dogs experiencing adrenal stress.